Visas, bureaucracy, and Silver Shadows

Yesterday, Peter and I found ourselves applying for a visa at the Chinese embassy in Bangkok. We arrived 15 minutes before the doors were to open, only to discover a long line of people snaking down the block. About then a vintage Rolls Royce Silver Shadow pulled up and an impeccably-dressed woman stepped out in her high heels. Hmm, we thought. I'll bet she won't be waiting in this line all morning like us...

Once inside, we found ourselves in a crush of people surrounding a man handing out forms. Were we American? Yes. We were given double sets of some papers, quadruples of others. We were quite confused. Apparently there were some printed notices on the walls, but we couldn't see for the crush of people. We were lucky enough to find some seats and started filling out forms.

Four pages of detailed information is what we were obliged to give. Where have we been in the last 12 months? What dates in each place? Why did we travel? Yikes...this is a bit tedious, flipping through the passport trying to find the in and out stamps! Half way through the process we realized we'd failed to get our queue number. So, Peter drilled his way through the crowd came back with numbers # 199 and #200. This was going to be a long morning. They were at #39...

I saw #197 flash up and I turned to glue my picture onto the application. When I glanced again the number was #202. I'd missed it--but rushed to the window to ask for mercy. I was met with a shake of the head--and a finger pointing to the queue machine. Now we were # 505 and #506. Yes, we'd be here all morning, for sure.

I have to confess that a few uncomplimentary words passed my lips--and a few unspoken negative thoughts. But I was brought up short as I remembered the experience of a Thai friend at the U.S. embassy. The consular officer tore her application into pieces and told her to not waste his time. There was no chance she'd ever get to visit the US.

That afternoon, as I went back to pick up the visas, I again saw the Rolls Royce Silver Shadow pull up. This time I was gratified to see our 'fancy lady' take her place in line, standing in the heat, getting crushed like the rest of us.

All this was a good reminder how easily we can slip into a sense of entitlement--and how unimportant we are, really, in the big scheme of things. But it was also a reminder of the importance of treating people with kindness and grace in all situations--even those with whom we don't have a personal connection. Ruthie.